By the time you read this or listen in to today’s podcast, my fella and I will have made our way to Poughkeepsie, New York, to fetch our newest family member, Sheila the cavapoo.
She is just a tad over 8 weeks old and just a tk weight. How can such a tiny creature make us so happy? What a ridiculous question.
We know absolutely nothing about training a puppy, having never ever had one. Previously I have adopted senior rescues who were already basically who they were. One was housebroken but emotionally quite broken, and one was housebroken and perfect.
Sheila is proof of optimism. She allows us to raise a creature and give it a good life. She forces us to leave our hermetically-sealed existences and give her plenty of exercise and fresh air. She forces us outdoors when we might not have ventured out. Not to mention all the cuddles we have in store.
How did she get the name Sheila, you might wonder? Sheila is the name my mother gives to females whose names elude her. My step-grandchild calls my mother Sheila, in turn. So when #ExhibitB learned that we were adopting a female, she suggested this name – this human name, which is possibly unpopular in the canine world. We procured Sheila from a highly-recommended breeder. (If you would like a referral, please let me know privately.)
(Note, we will probably refer to Sheila as “Henry” and “him” for a while. It’s hard to break old habits, and so on.)
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Liss Birnbach and guests - Amanda Benchley and Sharon Coplan Hurowitz
Meanwhile, back at headquarters, we have cool guests with a great holiday book. I am happy that Amanda Benchley and Sharon Coplan Hurowitz could talk about their collaboration of collaborations: Open Studio: Do-it-Yourself Art Projects by Contemporary Artists. Sharon, an art dealer and generator of projects, and Amanda, writer of books and friend to artists met and though very different from one another, recognized their compatability as co-producers. Their book is in itself an art exhibit, my favorite part being each artist describing his or her process.
Now it’s time for my list of five things that made my life better this week.
1. The VACCINE. I know that people in intensive care units may not be saved by the Covid-19 vaccine, and to have lost someone who died needlessly will never be okay, but for the rest of us, the hopes and prayers for a preventative to this deadly disease is a Godsend. Watching the essential workers be inoculated was moving. Perhaps by summertime those of us who want to be vaccinated will be, and life as we once knew it – perhaps with masks but not with fear – will return.
2. The Electoral College. This is a concept I believe is outdated for a lot of reasons, and certainly not in touch with our current population density, but I am grateful we had the day of December 4th to hear the electors announce their votes. Once again, for the 50-somethingth time, Joe Biden won the presidential election and has become our 46th president. I don’t expect the sore and bitter Republicans will acknowledge this, so in the thrall of Trump’s villainous ambition are they, but for the rest of us, good news.
3. Dr. Jill Biden. Our FLOTUS to be is a decent and lovely person by all accounts. The fact that she has continued to teach all this time is impressive. That she plans to continue teaching at community college during her years as first lady is remarkable. That she studied hard while being a parent and earned her doctorate in education is a testament to ambition and follow-through. She earned her degree and if she chooses to be known as Dr. Biden, that is so not a problem or a thing to dismiss or mock. Melania was a nude model and she wasn’t teased for that. You know what I’m saying? I look forward to seeing how Jill Biden moves the needle forward for women.
4. Clogs. I’m a clog lover from way back – the 1970s to be precise – and I’m still happiest wearing my Dansko closed-back clogs. I’ve had other kinds and wild colors: silver clogs, red patent leather ones, sandal clogs, and elegant clogs with my initials embroidered into them, but the basic – I’m a chef, I’m a surgeon, I’m an ER nurse -kind of clogs make me happy even though they are ugly. They are my most comfortable shoe. How many of you are clog wearers? Let me know! Do you have a favorite brand or style?
5. Creativity. I haven’t learned a new language, as I thought I might. I haven’t written a book proposal or a play, but I have been creative in other ways, and when I am in a creative flow, time stops – the opposite of what has happened during the pandemic. I made two projects using the Open Studio book’s guidelines, and I found myself excited and at true piece while cutting out a photograph for a collage.
Amanda Benchley and Sharon Coplan Hurowitz’s Combined 5 Things:
Amanda Benchley and Sharon Coplan Hurowitz
MORE ABOUT AMANDA BENCHLEY AND SHARON COPLAN HUROWITZ
Open Studio: Do-It-Yourself Art Projects by Contemporary Artists
Instagram @AmandaBenchley
Instagram: @sharonhurowitz
Website: www.phaidon.com
https://www.phaidon.com/store/art/open-studio-9781838661281/
The 5 Things That Make Life Better podcast is recorded and produced at The Field in NYC.
My team is Shpresa Oruci, Michael Porte, Sam Haft and Boco Haft.